Discharge planning

steved
steved Member Posts: 834 Member
Thought I would update people on my progress. Am now a month postop from the hemipelvectomy and pelvic clearance for the recurrence of rectal cancer. Am now at the point where I am planing for discharge on Monday. Attended my discharge planning meeting today and is all coming together well. Am getting pretty mobile on crutches though sitting remains a challenge due to pain and balance. Can do an hour in the wheelchair now though which is an improvement. Managing my colostomy and urostomy okay enough to feel confident can cope with them at home. Follow up will include initially coming back by ambulance twice a week for physio as well as stoma care with nurses coming in at home to do wound dressing. Leg wound a little problematic and requiring vacuum dressing so still attached to a pump for that which is a pain but hope will only be a couple more weeks of that.

Overall considering they said I would be in hospital for between 4 and 40 weeks am pleased with progress(vagueness of plan simply reflected their never having done this and risk of complications- in denmark where they had Boone twelve of these average stay was three months but many were old patients). A little anxious about the transition but that has been eased by the high level of planning and coordination that has gone into my care- even met a hospital manager and finance person yesterday who wanted to meet the patient behind all their meetings. Stair lift and wet room almost done at home and ramp for front door being finished this weekend.

All in all going well and just hope continues in this vein. Long recovery to do yet but will be pleased to be back in own surroundings.

Thanks for all the up port and messages which have helped through this time,

Steve
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Comments

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Dear Steve
    So very glad to hear that you will be able to head home soon. While I am certain that you have gotten excellent care at the hospital, there is nothing like being in your own home and surrounded by family.

    Your progress is truely amazing, may it continue to get better and better.

    My prayers and love to you and the family as you make this next transition.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member

    Dear Steve
    So very glad to hear that you will be able to head home soon. While I am certain that you have gotten excellent care at the hospital, there is nothing like being in your own home and surrounded by family.

    Your progress is truely amazing, may it continue to get better and better.

    My prayers and love to you and the family as you make this next transition.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    dearest Steve
    what a wonderful post to wake up to. Marie is right, there is nothing like getting home. You just settle in there with a great big blanket, your kids and Kelly.

    One month! that is amazing...thought you would be in hospital until Christmas....good work. I have to tell you now dear Steve i remember that weekend and nights before your surgery...hahah some sleepless nights on this forum as we held our breath waiting to hear
    from you...

    it is very very difficult to imagine your surgery. I think of the profound weariness I felt after a liver resection....I try to multiply that surgery and morph it into your situation but i know I can never really grasp your pain and fatigue.

    Sending you home with very best wishes and love ....with any luck you will be on your computer there ....

    then for your amusement you can talk to us!!! hahah

    love you Doc Steve.....thank you so very much for sharing your journey with us....

    hug.....mags
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    The Man With the Plan...
    Just really incredbile, Steve!

    -c
  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    I am speechless. You are a
    I am speechless. You are a true warrior.
  • JayhawkDan
    JayhawkDan Member Posts: 205
    There's no place like home...
    Being from Kansas it comes naturally to say "There's no place like home," but it's true. I'm so glad you're getting paroled (discharged) so quickly. Good for you -- and just know that you and your family remain in my prayers. Hugs, Dan
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    So glad that all is going
    So glad that all is going well, going home brings some fear of wondering how the transiton will go but getting home brings so much comfort. I am so happy that you will be home soon. :)
    God's blessings to you.
    Brenda
  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    Discharge planning
    I'm very impressed with your recovery from a very challenging procedure(s). But do go easy on yourself. From what I've gathered, your family is very supportive. Glad to hear you're going home to that loving support.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    thanks for sharing great news
    enjoy being home with the wife and kids.

    hugs,
    pete
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    hurrah! I am so glad and so
    hurrah! I am so glad and so relieved that soon you will be home with your family, in your transformed home. I hope and pray for a peaceful transition and strength in the days and weeks to come.
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    Great to hear
    I'm so thrilled with your progress and to think you'll be in your own home is remarkable. I pray you keep getting stronger every day. Jeff
  • Luckygirl2
    Luckygirl2 Member Posts: 308
    In the rewards of your success, enjoy the babies and the wife and the comfort of your home. You are a true inspiration!
  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    Woo hoo! Monday sounds
    Woo hoo! Monday sounds wonderful! I hope your transition is a smooth and pain free one. I am sure you will be glad to be home again with your family. the kids must be exited to have you comming home again.

    Alex
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    Thanks for the messages
    All through this the continued support of this group has been invaluable even when I haven't contributed much in the last month.

    Had the Kids in to visit today and was the first time I can truly say have been able to enjoy them. Up till now it has been important to do and have enjoyed moments but has also felt exhausting and difficult to have them. Now, pertly as they are more settled on visits and more that I am getting more robust, I really loved seeing them. They even looked at my leg wound and stomas with interest talking about what was now where, and did so quite comfortably. Felt was important before I hit home where they will see more of all of me. Really pleased ith how they have coped and so proud of them and my wife who has held them all together through this.

    Loads of challengese yet- every little task is now a puzzle to work through from how to wash my hands standing with crutches to how sit on a normal chair without tipping off the side. Beginning to explore the world wheelchairs and aids but pleased the basics are coming together to build from.

    Love to you all and thanks again for the kind words, prayers and support,
    Steve
  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    Steve,

    Nothing is better than going home. Truely enjoy this!!!!
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    steved said:

    Thanks for the messages
    All through this the continued support of this group has been invaluable even when I haven't contributed much in the last month.

    Had the Kids in to visit today and was the first time I can truly say have been able to enjoy them. Up till now it has been important to do and have enjoyed moments but has also felt exhausting and difficult to have them. Now, pertly as they are more settled on visits and more that I am getting more robust, I really loved seeing them. They even looked at my leg wound and stomas with interest talking about what was now where, and did so quite comfortably. Felt was important before I hit home where they will see more of all of me. Really pleased ith how they have coped and so proud of them and my wife who has held them all together through this.

    Loads of challengese yet- every little task is now a puzzle to work through from how to wash my hands standing with crutches to how sit on a normal chair without tipping off the side. Beginning to explore the world wheelchairs and aids but pleased the basics are coming together to build from.

    Love to you all and thanks again for the kind words, prayers and support,
    Steve

    Thanks for the update,
    Thanks for the update, Steve. So glad things are progressing. You have such a good team of people. But then, they have a good patient. I can't imagine having that kind of coordination where I live.
    Glad the kids are doing ok. Hope that wound vac pump comes off soon. That will be a milestone, too.
    Take care. Love to you and your family.
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Steve
    Congrats on getting discharged for hospital so soon! You are truly a great warrior in this battle. Your upbeat attitude shines in your posts and offers hope and inspiration to us. Again, congratulations and good luck in your healing.

    Hugs,

    Doc
  • relaxoutdoors08
    relaxoutdoors08 Member Posts: 521 Member
    You Truely are Leading the Way
    So glad to hear you are doing better than expected and the home front is just about ready for your return. WOW it seems so amazing ...We send our thoughts and prayers for your healing and good health.
    NB
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Steve
    Congrats on getting discharged for hospital so soon! You are truly a great warrior in this battle. Your upbeat attitude shines in your posts and offers hope and inspiration to us. Again, congratulations and good luck in your healing.

    Hugs,

    Doc

    Glad you been discharged so soon , it means things cant work
    better! Concerning your balance while sited ,do you know when you will be able to get a prothesis? Things will improve little by little my friend!
    Have a big hug my dearest kiwi friend!
  • Cathleen Mary
    Cathleen Mary Member Posts: 827 Member

    You Truely are Leading the Way
    So glad to hear you are doing better than expected and the home front is just about ready for your return. WOW it seems so amazing ...We send our thoughts and prayers for your healing and good health.
    NB

    Steve

    I am so happy for you and for your family. This is wonderful news. So much is behind you; so much living ahead. Life will certainly have its challenges but it will also have many blessings. Thank you for letting us share in your journey....even reading your posts is a privilege.

    Cathleen Mary
  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member

    Steve

    I am so happy for you and for your family. This is wonderful news. So much is behind you; so much living ahead. Life will certainly have its challenges but it will also have many blessings. Thank you for letting us share in your journey....even reading your posts is a privilege.

    Cathleen Mary

    Home is where the heart is
    Fantastic to hear that you are able to go home. chellenges are there to be met head on and I know you are able too.
    You are a miracle and have shown so much strength and courage, that going home is an complete new adventure.
    I also would like to send love and joy and admiration to your wife, who has been there with you through every up and down, cudoo's to her.She is a fantastic woman.
    Hugs, Marjan